[SET]
Psychic Seed (Tapu Lele) @ Psychic Seed
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 128 HP / 8 SpA / 136 SpD / 236 Spe
Modest Nature
- Moonblast
- Psyshock
- Taunt
- Calm Mind
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=============
With a Psychic Seed, Tapu Lele's naturally good special bulk balloons to incredible levels, allowing it to take some of the strongest special hits in the metagame quite comfortably. Moonblast provides strong Fairy-type STAB for use against non-Band Dragapult, Kyurem, and Moltres-G. Psyshock is a Terrain-boosted Psychic STAB move that targets Defense, making it a reliable option against Maranga Berry Togekiss, Goodra, and Calm Mind users like Tapu Fini or Primarina. Taunt blocks status moves like Sylveon's Yawn or Fake Tears, Togekiss's Thunder Wave, or Porygon-Z's Nasty Plot or Endure. Calm Mind, lastly, helps against all sorts of special attackers like Volcarona and Porygon-Z.
EVs
=============
The HP and Special Defense EVs allow Tapu Lele to survive a Choice Specs-boosted Sludge Wave from Modest Naganadel. Speed investment lets it outpace Venusaur. The remaining EVs have been placed in special attack, allowing Tapu Lele to always OHKO uninvested Porygon-Z with Psyshock after a Calm Mind boost.
Usage Tips
=============
In general, Tapu Lele can comfortably use Calm Mind when faced with any special attacker, though it should attack if it's threatened with an OHKO or 2HKO. It should click Taunt against potential status move users, like Sylveon and Misty Terrain Tapu Fini. Against Porygon-Z, Calm Mind prevents Choice Specs Modest sets from OHKOing, but risks being punished by a Choice Scarf set clicking Trick. Moonblast is a safe middle ground play, preventing Tapu Lele from being locked into a status move while preserving optimal odds of survival against Choice Specs variants.
=============
[SET]
Custap (Tapu Lele) @ Custap Berry
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 16 Def / 252 SpA / 240 Spe
Timid / Modest Nature
- Calm Mind
- Psyshock
- Moonblast
- Endure
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=============
With a Custap Berry, Tapu Lele can turn the tables on faster threats like Dragapult and Naganadel, while retaining the setup that Calm Mind offers against bulky Pokemon like Tapu Fini, Primarina, and Sylveon. Endure allows Tapu Lele to reliably survive attacks at 1 HP and trigger its Custap Berry the next turn. This strategy would normally be vulnerable to priority moves, but Psychic Terrain blocks attacks like Life Orb Urshifu's Sucker Punch or Assault Vest Entei's Extreme Speed. Psyshock reliably beats specially bulky Pokemon like Goodra and Volcarona and can beat Chansey with correct prediction. Moonblast is a reliable Fairy-type STAB move that OHKOs Dragapult, Urshifu, and Haxorus.
EVs
=============
A Timid nature allows Tapu Lele to outpace Adamant Choice Band Haxorus, while 16 Defense EVs ensure that Jolly Choice Scarf Haxorus can never OHKO with Poison Jab, allowing for a risk-free Moonblast click when faced with this Pokemon. 252 Special Attack EVs give the best possible roll versus Choice Band Garchomp. The remaining EVs are placed in Speed to outspeed as many Kyurem, Arcanine, and Tapu Lele sets as possible.
Usage Tips
=============
Against Dragapult, Custap Berry Tapu Lele can safely click Moonblast against anything but Choice Specs sets, which must be Endured on instead. Clicking Endure on a Substitute or Choice Band set, however, sets Tapu Lele up for failure: the former can click Curse and stall out turns, while the latter will use Phantom Force and force a risky second Endure to retain any chance of winning the matchup. As Choice Specs Dragapult is relatively rare, Moonblast is generally the best T1 play.
Against Pokemon with powerful recharge moves, like Sylveon or Porygon-Z, a well-timed Endure may be used to absorb these attacks, effectively giving Tapu Lele a free turn while the foe recharges.
Lastly, when knocking a slower Pokemon that commonly runs Custap Berry below 25% health, stalling out a turn with Endure offers some security against a potential Custap activation, though against Primarina this runs the risk of being Encored.
=============
[SET]
Specs (Tapu Lele) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Moonblast
- Psyshock
- Thunder
- Focus Blast / Energy Ball
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=============
With the power added by Choice Specs and its unexpected coverage options, Tapu Lele can lure would-be counters. Psyshock hits hard enough to OHKO Sitrus Berry Spectrier, Volcarona, and Choice Specs Sylveon, while Moonblast hits Pokemon like Urshifu, Kyurem, and Moltres-G super effectively. With Thunder, the set has a somewhat unreliable click able to OHKO Choice Specs Primarina, Choice Band Azumarill, Choice Specs Volcanion, Corviknight, and Celesteela sets with low Special Defense investment. Focus Blast beats non-Choice Scarf Heatran and non-Assault Vest Tyranitar. Energy Ball takes care of Assault Vest Rhyperior, Gastrodon, and Swampert.
EVs
=============
Special Attack is maximized for the best possible rolls against Choice Scarf Togekiss and Choice Specs Zapdos. Max Speed is a small step up from the 236 EVs necessary to outspeed Venusaur and gives the best odds versus other base 90s, like Adamant Choice Band Darmanitan-G and other Tapu Lele. 4 Defense EVs improve Tapu Lele's odds versus certain Garchomp and Haxorus sets.
Usage Tips
=============
In general, Choice Specs Tapu Lele is a very straightforward set. Click Psyshock, unless the target resists it or is weak to another of Tapu Lele's moves. Against very specially bulky targets, like Goodra or Psychic Seed Tapu Lele, these typing rules may be ignored in favor of clicking Psyshock anyway.
=============
[SET]
Scarf (Tapu Lele) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 32 Def / 252 SpA / 224 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psyshock
- Moonblast
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=============
With a Choice Scarf, Tapu Lele's Speed is raised to the point where it can outspeed fast threats like Dragapult, non-Choice Scarf Garchomp, and Adamant Choice Scarf Haxorus and threaten them with Moonblast. Additionally, even after having its Speed dropped by a move like Assault Vest Entei's Bulldoze or Assault Vest Landorus-T's Rock Tomb it remains faster than these Pokemon, allowing it to win. Psyshock and Psychic deal with different Pokemon: Psyshock beats Goodra, non-Custap Berry Volcarona, and Maranga Berry Zapdos, while Psychic is the superior choice against defensive Pokemon like Volcanion or Pressure stall Entei. Because Psyshock ignores both Charm and Amnesia, it is also the move to click against a potential Sap Sipper Azumarill. Focus Blast is a coverage move that deals with Porygon-Z, Heatran, offensive Tyranitar, and any slower Darmanitan-G.
EVs
=============
Tapu Lele's Speed allows it to outpace Jolly Choice Scarf Landorus-T. 252 Special Attack EVs maximize its chances of 3HKOing Choice Scarf Cresselia with Moonblast. The remaining EVs are placed in Defense to help against moves like Jolly Choice Scarf Haxorus's Poison Jab, Custap Berry Urshifu's Wicked Blow, or Jolly Choice Scarf Darmanitan-G's Icicle Crash.
Usage Tips
=============
Choice Scarf Tapu Lele is a straightforward set: click the move that deals the most damage, taking into account the opponent's (probable) weaker defensive stat as well as its typing. Azumarill is a noteworthy exception: while the stall set takes more damage from Psychic than Psyshock, it can stall this move out with Amnesia and Rest. Psyshock retains consistent power in this matchup, allowing it to 3HKO, making it the move to click. However, Psychic remains the optimal click against Sitrus Berry Azumarill.
=============
[SET]
Skill Swap (Tapu Lele) @ Psychic Seed
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 248 HP / 84 SpA / 176 SpD
Modest Nature
- Skill Swap
- Psyshock
- Focus Blast
- Moonblast
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=============
Skill Swap is an unorthodox option that greatly improves Tapu Lele's matchups against Sturdy Pokemon like Aggron, Steelix, and Avalugg. By clicking the move in these matchups, Tapu Lele is guaranteed to survive one hit while simultaneously opening the opponent up to a Focus Blast OHKO on the next turn. Focus Blast is also helpful against Magnezone, Heatran, and offensive Tyranitar sets. Moonblast is a strong super effective click into Urshifu, Dragapult, and Kyurem. Lastly, Psyshock is a reliable STAB option against the likes of Sylveon, Naganadel, and Volcarona.
EVs
=============
The HP EVs guarantee that Tapu Lele will never faint to Curse Dragapult's uninvested Phantom Force. The Special Defense EVs guarantee that it will almost always survive two Flash Cannons from Custap Berry Magnezone (1.2% roll). The remainder has been invested in Special Attack for the best odds to OHKO offensive Garchomp, Tyranitar, and Zarude variants.
Usage Tips
=============
Against Aggron and Steelix, Skill Swap should always be used on the first turn, followed by Focus Blast. Versus Magnezone, Tapu Lele should break its Sturdy with a weak Psyshock (to negate the remotest possibility of Mirror Coat OHKOing), then follow up with Focus Blast. Against Shell Smash Crustle, the optimal move requires prediction. If Crustle clicks Shell Smash, Skill Swap followed by Moonblast allows for a chance at victory (although Crustle still wins with a 4- or 5-hit Rock Blast). If Crustle attacks turn 1, Lele's optimal play is to click Moonblast twice.
Skill Swap should also be used against Aromatisse, which will be left unable to use Encore or Disable, and should be clicked as a last-ditch effort when faced with a Zeraora (on the off chance it lacks neutral coverage). If the first Focus Blast against a faster Eruption Heatran misses, Skill Swap may prove an 'out' against Choice Scarf sets by providing immunity to Fire-type moves. Do not click Skill Swap versus Sylveon, as it does not increase, and situationally decreases, the odds of victory. A Volcanion lacking super effective coverage is likely to click Steam Eruption into Psychic Seed Tapu Lele - a well-timed Skill Swap can be used to negate Volcanion's move and heal some of Tapu Lele's HP in the process.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Custap Berry Tapu Lele can run a Modest nature alongside Psychic to 2HKO non-Specs Volcanion and secure favorable rolls against Darmanitan-G and Kartana. The lowered Speed means that Adamant Choice Band Haxorus is no longer beatable, and the lack of Psyshock results in losses against Volcarona, Goodra, and other such specially bulky Pokemon.
Extrasensory is an option on Choice Specs Tapu Lele that can beat SubTect variants of Entei and Zapdos with its high PP. However, other sets of these Pokemon are better answered with Psyshock, so this option requires careful prediction.
Tapu Lele can almost always beat Zeraora with a set consisting of a Sitrus Berry, Skill Swap, Psyshock, a Modest nature, and an EV spread of 168 HP / 244 Def / 96 Spe (to maximize physical bulk while still outspeeding Adamant Dracovish) The set should click Skill Swap T1 and spam Psyshock thereafter. Moonblast beats Dragon-type Pokemon like Garchomp and Kyurem, and either Focus Blast (for Choice Scarf Darmanitan-G, Aggron, bulky Heatran, and Steelix) or Calm Mind (for Volcarona and certain Primarina sets) can be the set's last move.
A Timid Custap Berry set can instead run a Salac Berry to get around Protect variants of Kartana, Naganadel, Dragapult, and Zapdos, which would ordinarily be able to simply Protect on the Custap Berry activation turn.
Sets with a Weakness Policy, Iron Defense, and Stored Power can beat Glastrier, Corviknight, stall steelix, and (if running Draining Kiss) Assault Vest Tyranitar. Although such a set can also eke out victory against Choice Band Azumarill, Choice Band Rhyperior, Volcanion, or Taunt Heatran, this will only occur if the opponent misplays.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
Here Comes Team Charm!
Quality checked by:
[insert user link]
Grammar checked by:
[insert user link]
Psychic Seed (Tapu Lele) @ Psychic Seed
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 128 HP / 8 SpA / 136 SpD / 236 Spe
Modest Nature
- Moonblast
- Psyshock
- Taunt
- Calm Mind
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=============
With a Psychic Seed, Tapu Lele's naturally good special bulk balloons to incredible levels, allowing it to take some of the strongest special hits in the metagame quite comfortably. Moonblast provides strong Fairy-type STAB for use against non-Band Dragapult, Kyurem, and Moltres-G. Psyshock is a Terrain-boosted Psychic STAB move that targets Defense, making it a reliable option against Maranga Berry Togekiss, Goodra, and Calm Mind users like Tapu Fini or Primarina. Taunt blocks status moves like Sylveon's Yawn or Fake Tears, Togekiss's Thunder Wave, or Porygon-Z's Nasty Plot or Endure. Calm Mind, lastly, helps against all sorts of special attackers like Volcarona and Porygon-Z.
EVs
=============
The HP and Special Defense EVs allow Tapu Lele to survive a Choice Specs-boosted Sludge Wave from Modest Naganadel. Speed investment lets it outpace Venusaur. The remaining EVs have been placed in special attack, allowing Tapu Lele to always OHKO uninvested Porygon-Z with Psyshock after a Calm Mind boost.
Usage Tips
=============
In general, Tapu Lele can comfortably use Calm Mind when faced with any special attacker, though it should attack if it's threatened with an OHKO or 2HKO. It should click Taunt against potential status move users, like Sylveon and Misty Terrain Tapu Fini. Against Porygon-Z, Calm Mind prevents Choice Specs Modest sets from OHKOing, but risks being punished by a Choice Scarf set clicking Trick. Moonblast is a safe middle ground play, preventing Tapu Lele from being locked into a status move while preserving optimal odds of survival against Choice Specs variants.
=============
[SET]
Custap (Tapu Lele) @ Custap Berry
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 16 Def / 252 SpA / 240 Spe
Timid / Modest Nature
- Calm Mind
- Psyshock
- Moonblast
- Endure
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=============
With a Custap Berry, Tapu Lele can turn the tables on faster threats like Dragapult and Naganadel, while retaining the setup that Calm Mind offers against bulky Pokemon like Tapu Fini, Primarina, and Sylveon. Endure allows Tapu Lele to reliably survive attacks at 1 HP and trigger its Custap Berry the next turn. This strategy would normally be vulnerable to priority moves, but Psychic Terrain blocks attacks like Life Orb Urshifu's Sucker Punch or Assault Vest Entei's Extreme Speed. Psyshock reliably beats specially bulky Pokemon like Goodra and Volcarona and can beat Chansey with correct prediction. Moonblast is a reliable Fairy-type STAB move that OHKOs Dragapult, Urshifu, and Haxorus.
EVs
=============
A Timid nature allows Tapu Lele to outpace Adamant Choice Band Haxorus, while 16 Defense EVs ensure that Jolly Choice Scarf Haxorus can never OHKO with Poison Jab, allowing for a risk-free Moonblast click when faced with this Pokemon. 252 Special Attack EVs give the best possible roll versus Choice Band Garchomp. The remaining EVs are placed in Speed to outspeed as many Kyurem, Arcanine, and Tapu Lele sets as possible.
Usage Tips
=============
Against Dragapult, Custap Berry Tapu Lele can safely click Moonblast against anything but Choice Specs sets, which must be Endured on instead. Clicking Endure on a Substitute or Choice Band set, however, sets Tapu Lele up for failure: the former can click Curse and stall out turns, while the latter will use Phantom Force and force a risky second Endure to retain any chance of winning the matchup. As Choice Specs Dragapult is relatively rare, Moonblast is generally the best T1 play.
Against Pokemon with powerful recharge moves, like Sylveon or Porygon-Z, a well-timed Endure may be used to absorb these attacks, effectively giving Tapu Lele a free turn while the foe recharges.
Lastly, when knocking a slower Pokemon that commonly runs Custap Berry below 25% health, stalling out a turn with Endure offers some security against a potential Custap activation, though against Primarina this runs the risk of being Encored.
=============
[SET]
Specs (Tapu Lele) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Moonblast
- Psyshock
- Thunder
- Focus Blast / Energy Ball
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=============
With the power added by Choice Specs and its unexpected coverage options, Tapu Lele can lure would-be counters. Psyshock hits hard enough to OHKO Sitrus Berry Spectrier, Volcarona, and Choice Specs Sylveon, while Moonblast hits Pokemon like Urshifu, Kyurem, and Moltres-G super effectively. With Thunder, the set has a somewhat unreliable click able to OHKO Choice Specs Primarina, Choice Band Azumarill, Choice Specs Volcanion, Corviknight, and Celesteela sets with low Special Defense investment. Focus Blast beats non-Choice Scarf Heatran and non-Assault Vest Tyranitar. Energy Ball takes care of Assault Vest Rhyperior, Gastrodon, and Swampert.
EVs
=============
Special Attack is maximized for the best possible rolls against Choice Scarf Togekiss and Choice Specs Zapdos. Max Speed is a small step up from the 236 EVs necessary to outspeed Venusaur and gives the best odds versus other base 90s, like Adamant Choice Band Darmanitan-G and other Tapu Lele. 4 Defense EVs improve Tapu Lele's odds versus certain Garchomp and Haxorus sets.
Usage Tips
=============
In general, Choice Specs Tapu Lele is a very straightforward set. Click Psyshock, unless the target resists it or is weak to another of Tapu Lele's moves. Against very specially bulky targets, like Goodra or Psychic Seed Tapu Lele, these typing rules may be ignored in favor of clicking Psyshock anyway.
=============
[SET]
Scarf (Tapu Lele) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 32 Def / 252 SpA / 224 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psyshock
- Moonblast
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=============
With a Choice Scarf, Tapu Lele's Speed is raised to the point where it can outspeed fast threats like Dragapult, non-Choice Scarf Garchomp, and Adamant Choice Scarf Haxorus and threaten them with Moonblast. Additionally, even after having its Speed dropped by a move like Assault Vest Entei's Bulldoze or Assault Vest Landorus-T's Rock Tomb it remains faster than these Pokemon, allowing it to win. Psyshock and Psychic deal with different Pokemon: Psyshock beats Goodra, non-Custap Berry Volcarona, and Maranga Berry Zapdos, while Psychic is the superior choice against defensive Pokemon like Volcanion or Pressure stall Entei. Because Psyshock ignores both Charm and Amnesia, it is also the move to click against a potential Sap Sipper Azumarill. Focus Blast is a coverage move that deals with Porygon-Z, Heatran, offensive Tyranitar, and any slower Darmanitan-G.
EVs
=============
Tapu Lele's Speed allows it to outpace Jolly Choice Scarf Landorus-T. 252 Special Attack EVs maximize its chances of 3HKOing Choice Scarf Cresselia with Moonblast. The remaining EVs are placed in Defense to help against moves like Jolly Choice Scarf Haxorus's Poison Jab, Custap Berry Urshifu's Wicked Blow, or Jolly Choice Scarf Darmanitan-G's Icicle Crash.
Usage Tips
=============
Choice Scarf Tapu Lele is a straightforward set: click the move that deals the most damage, taking into account the opponent's (probable) weaker defensive stat as well as its typing. Azumarill is a noteworthy exception: while the stall set takes more damage from Psychic than Psyshock, it can stall this move out with Amnesia and Rest. Psyshock retains consistent power in this matchup, allowing it to 3HKO, making it the move to click. However, Psychic remains the optimal click against Sitrus Berry Azumarill.
=============
[SET]
Skill Swap (Tapu Lele) @ Psychic Seed
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 248 HP / 84 SpA / 176 SpD
Modest Nature
- Skill Swap
- Psyshock
- Focus Blast
- Moonblast
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=============
Skill Swap is an unorthodox option that greatly improves Tapu Lele's matchups against Sturdy Pokemon like Aggron, Steelix, and Avalugg. By clicking the move in these matchups, Tapu Lele is guaranteed to survive one hit while simultaneously opening the opponent up to a Focus Blast OHKO on the next turn. Focus Blast is also helpful against Magnezone, Heatran, and offensive Tyranitar sets. Moonblast is a strong super effective click into Urshifu, Dragapult, and Kyurem. Lastly, Psyshock is a reliable STAB option against the likes of Sylveon, Naganadel, and Volcarona.
EVs
=============
The HP EVs guarantee that Tapu Lele will never faint to Curse Dragapult's uninvested Phantom Force. The Special Defense EVs guarantee that it will almost always survive two Flash Cannons from Custap Berry Magnezone (1.2% roll). The remainder has been invested in Special Attack for the best odds to OHKO offensive Garchomp, Tyranitar, and Zarude variants.
Usage Tips
=============
Against Aggron and Steelix, Skill Swap should always be used on the first turn, followed by Focus Blast. Versus Magnezone, Tapu Lele should break its Sturdy with a weak Psyshock (to negate the remotest possibility of Mirror Coat OHKOing), then follow up with Focus Blast. Against Shell Smash Crustle, the optimal move requires prediction. If Crustle clicks Shell Smash, Skill Swap followed by Moonblast allows for a chance at victory (although Crustle still wins with a 4- or 5-hit Rock Blast). If Crustle attacks turn 1, Lele's optimal play is to click Moonblast twice.
Skill Swap should also be used against Aromatisse, which will be left unable to use Encore or Disable, and should be clicked as a last-ditch effort when faced with a Zeraora (on the off chance it lacks neutral coverage). If the first Focus Blast against a faster Eruption Heatran misses, Skill Swap may prove an 'out' against Choice Scarf sets by providing immunity to Fire-type moves. Do not click Skill Swap versus Sylveon, as it does not increase, and situationally decreases, the odds of victory. A Volcanion lacking super effective coverage is likely to click Steam Eruption into Psychic Seed Tapu Lele - a well-timed Skill Swap can be used to negate Volcanion's move and heal some of Tapu Lele's HP in the process.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Custap Berry Tapu Lele can run a Modest nature alongside Psychic to 2HKO non-Specs Volcanion and secure favorable rolls against Darmanitan-G and Kartana. The lowered Speed means that Adamant Choice Band Haxorus is no longer beatable, and the lack of Psyshock results in losses against Volcarona, Goodra, and other such specially bulky Pokemon.
Extrasensory is an option on Choice Specs Tapu Lele that can beat SubTect variants of Entei and Zapdos with its high PP. However, other sets of these Pokemon are better answered with Psyshock, so this option requires careful prediction.
Tapu Lele can almost always beat Zeraora with a set consisting of a Sitrus Berry, Skill Swap, Psyshock, a Modest nature, and an EV spread of 168 HP / 244 Def / 96 Spe (to maximize physical bulk while still outspeeding Adamant Dracovish) The set should click Skill Swap T1 and spam Psyshock thereafter. Moonblast beats Dragon-type Pokemon like Garchomp and Kyurem, and either Focus Blast (for Choice Scarf Darmanitan-G, Aggron, bulky Heatran, and Steelix) or Calm Mind (for Volcarona and certain Primarina sets) can be the set's last move.
A Timid Custap Berry set can instead run a Salac Berry to get around Protect variants of Kartana, Naganadel, Dragapult, and Zapdos, which would ordinarily be able to simply Protect on the Custap Berry activation turn.
Sets with a Weakness Policy, Iron Defense, and Stored Power can beat Glastrier, Corviknight, stall steelix, and (if running Draining Kiss) Assault Vest Tyranitar. Although such a set can also eke out victory against Choice Band Azumarill, Choice Band Rhyperior, Volcanion, or Taunt Heatran, this will only occur if the opponent misplays.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
Here Comes Team Charm!
Quality checked by:
[insert user link]
Grammar checked by:
[insert user link]
Last edited: